John & Becky’s Movie Review of Paranormal Activity

paranormalWe’re getting pounded with a snowstorm in Colorado right now and I escaped today for a couple of hours to go and see the top movie at the box office this week, Paranormal Activity at the AMC theater in Highlands Ranch, CO. There were three other people in the theater with me, so I wasn’t completely alone for this film. Not that it would matter, but in case you were wondering. The Fandango website at Paranormal Activity describes the movie as follows:

“A haunted house makes no secret of the fact it’s not pleased with its new tenants in this independent tale of supernatural horror. Katie (Katie Featherson) and Micah (Micah Sloat) are a twentysomething couple who’ve just moved into a new home in San Diego, CA. Katie has an interest in the paranormal and believes that malevolent spirits have been following her since childhood, though Micah is not so easily convinced. However, after several nights of loud noises and strange happenings, Micah starts to agree with Katie that some sort of ghost may have followed them to the new home…”

The Review
Paranormal Activity is a mockumentary as they call it, which is a film like The Blair Witch Project where amateur film makers try to capture real life events with their video camera. Paranormal Activity touts itself as being a true story about a demon that is haunting a girl and her boyfriend. It even opens up by thanking the family and the San Diego Police Department and ends talking about the police related to the ending of the film.

I think that’s what made this film scary for people because you actually believe that the movie is a true story, like The Blair Witch Project. It’s also why many people didn’t like the film though because when they find out that it’s not true it ticks you off that you’ve been duped into believing it to be true. Nobody likes to be lied to and I think that’s the main problem with this film because it really looks like it’s a true story and it’s done extremely well.

In fact, a friend of mine called me and said, “John, you have to go and see this film. It’s super scary.” Of course, for this person and myself there is a much larger reason for this film to be scary than most people because we have both had real-life experiences with the supernatural. In particular, we have both had encounters with wicked and evil spirits.

Getting back to the film though, I liked it, even though it wasn’t a true story. The language was really bad and when the guy started taking God’s name in vain, you knew it wasn’t going to end well for him. I thought that it accurately conveyed the dangers of playing with the supernatural, especially antagonizing and communicating with the demonic.

I have met a number of people in the Occult (hidden knowledge) over the years, read their articles or heard them speak, who are deceived into believing that they are communicating with “Spiritual Masters”, “entities”, “aliens”, “ghosts” and other familiar spirits, often using a spirit board, while failing to realize that the Devil and his horde are the Masters of Deception. Many people involved in the occult will emphatically claim, “A spirit board will not bring evil spirits!”, but when you probe a little deeper they will say, “Well, unless of course, you really believe that they will…”.

The Dark can make people believe they’re talking with a dead family member, friend, ghost, etc. when they are really communicating or entertaining a demon. Demons are more than willing to let you believe a lie and mess with your theology. Many of these same people will believe in aliens, ghosts and entities, but completely discount demons – go figure.

The film had a little bit more of an impact for me and my friend than most people based on our personal life experiences. I have to recommend it, if you’re up for a scary movie. Partly because I think it shows how “modern man” can easily dismiss the supernatural or think that they are above such primitive beliefs, and in this case, to their own peril. However, be forewarned that the language is bad.

It’s boring at times and it has the “reality” show feel that will frustrate a number of viewers. It’s not for everyone for sure, but it did $22 million at the box office, so apparently quite a few people liked it. By the way, if you want to read a wild story about a former Marine’s experience with messing around with a ouija board, click here.
John – *** Worth The Trip
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. Find his consignments at CoolCarGuy.com. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Follow The Cool Car Guy on Twitter – @coolcarguy or Facebook.

John & Becky’s Movie Review of Law Abiding Citizen

couplesretreatBecky and I went to see the film Law Abiding Citizen on Friday night at the AMC theater in Highlands Ranch, CO. The Fandango website at Law Abiding Citizen describes the movie as follows:

“Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) is an upstanding family man whose wife and daughter are brutally murdered during a home invasion. When the killers are caught, Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), a hotshot young Philadelphia prosecutor, is assigned to the case. Over his objections, Nick is forced by his boss to offer one of the suspects a light sentence in exchange for testifying against his accomplice. Fast forward ten years. The man who got away with murder is found dead and Clyde Shelton coolly admits his guilt. Then he issues a warning to Nick: Either fix the flawed justice system that failed his family, or key players in the trial will die.”

The Review
Law Abiding Citizen was a huge let down for both Becky and I. The theater was packed and it was in one of the smaller theaters, but like us, I think that people had high expectations for this film. It turned out to be non-stop graphic violence that was completely pointless. The acting is great, but that’s the only thing this movie has going for it.

The hero of the film is a vigilante who wants to avenge the death of his wife and daughter after the State fails to get a proper conviction. After ten years of waiting for the death penalty to be carried out on the accomplice instead of the real murderer, Gerard Butler’s psychopathic character decides to dismember the murderer piece by piece.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, he then starts taking out the Justice system with graphic murders while he’s in jail. It was over-the-top, cruel violence that really made no sense for the audience. There wasn’t any part of this film that was any good. It wasn’t redeeming in nature and had a terrible ending to boot. You couldn’t cheer on the bad guy because they were really all bad guys in this movie. There weren’t really any good guys and it was a complete waste of time. It was different, but it wasn’t good. I wouldn’t even watch this as a rental unless you want to be depressed when you watch how sick our society and our justice system is today, as portrayed by this movie.

John – * Don’t Bother
Becky – * Don’t Bother
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. Find his consignments at CoolCarGuy.com. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Follow The Cool Car Guy on Twitter – @coolcarguy or Facebook.

John & Becky’s Movie Review of Couple’s Retreat

couplesretreatBecky and I went to see the new Vince Vaughn comedy Couple’s Retreat on Friday night at the AMC theater in Highlands Ranch, CO with our friends Jerry & Linda. The Fandango website at Couple’s Retreat describes the movie as follows:

“Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell and Faizon Love star in Universal Pictures’ upcoming comedy “Couples Retreat.” Based on an original idea of Vaughn’s, the comedy follows four Midwestern couples who embark on a journey to a tropical island resort. While one of the couples is there to work on their marriage, the other three set out to jet ski, spa and enjoy some fun in the sun. They soon discover that participation in the resort’s couples therapy is not optional. Suddenly, their group-rate vacation comes at a price. What follows is a hilarious look at real world problems faced by all couples. The film also stars Kali Hawk and Jean Reno.”

The Review
Couple’s Retreat is a crack-up. The theater was sold-out when we went on Friday night. It did over $35 million at the box office this Weekend, so tons of people were ready to see this one on the big screen from the commercials and previews. It really delivered with plenty of laughs. All the characters in the movie were great. I think they had every personality in the film and that’s of the things that made it so funny since we’ve all met these people before.

Vince Vaughn helped write the script, which was surprising. Since the film had plenty of thought and dealt with the different kinds of relationships beyond just the comedy aspect of the film. There were also some good lines and situations, more than what we saw on the Previews. Frankly, I thought they were going to give the whole movie away with the commercials. It was a pretty light-hearted film with a good message about relationships, sticking together, working things out and there were some very funny situations the characters found themselves.

We all left the film feeling good with a happy ending everyone was waiting for and that was nice for a change!

John – **** Don’t Miss It
Becky – **** Don’t Miss It
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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. Find his consignments at CoolCarGuy.com. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Follow The Cool Car Guy on Twitter – @coolcarguy or Facebook.

John & Becky’s Movie Review of Love Happens

lovehappensBecky and I went to see the new Jennifer Anniston movie Love Happens a few of weeks ago at the AMC theater in Highlands Ranch, CO. The Yahoo website at Love Happens describes the movie as follows:

“When a self-help author arrives in Seattle to teach a sold-out seminar, he unexpectedly meets the one person who might finally be able to help him help himself.”

The Review
Love Happens is a sappy chick flick about a guy who’s wife has died and he goes on to become a self-help guru for people who are dealing with grief.  Apparently, it’s his way of dealing with his loss. It was a strange film because of his profession and the characters that he was working with and the chemistry between the two lead roles was really good.

The movie was okay, but it wasn’t great by any stretch. It was different, but it was too predictable like we’ve all seen this before, only now with two new characters. The acting was good and the story wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t one you should run out and see. We’re going to rate it a rental.

John – ** Rental
Becky – ** Rental

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John Boyd

Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy

John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. Find his consignments at JFRCars.com. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com

Follow The Cool Car Guy on Twitter – @coolcarguy or Facebook.